FAO organized its first ever Global Conference on Sustainable Plant Production (GPC) (Rome, 2 to 4 November 2022), with a focus on Innovation, Efficiency and Resilience. Its main objective was to provide a neutral forum for FAO Members, farmers, scientists, development agencies, policy makers, extensionists, civil society, opinion leaders and the private sector to engage in dialogues around sustainable plant production. To achieve impact towards implementing the 2030 Agenda, the GPC developed 20 actionable recommendations. The recommendations encompass all the thematic areas highlighted in the GPC, with a focus on adaptation to local contexts, needs of small-scale farmers, and include cross-cutting issues to guide active innovation for global sustainable plant production systems. The recommendations clearly establish (i) priorities for targeted mobilization and pooling of scientific, technical and financial resources; (ii) evidence and knowledge sharing through the creation and management of functional technical networks; and (iii) testing and scaling evidence-based sustainable plant production practices, partnerships and policies.

The first comprehensive handbook on the seeds of trees and shrubs produced by the USDA Forest Service was USDA Misc. Pub. 654, Woody-Plant Seed Manual. The manuscript was ready for publication in 1941, but World War II delayed publication until 1948. The boom in tree planting in the 1950s and 1960s created a large demand for seeds and exposed the gaps in our knowledge concerning production and quality of seeds of woody plants in general. The 1974 Handbook proved to be very popular both in this country and abroad, leading to five printings and translations in several other languages. More than a quarter-century after its publication, however, numerous advances in tree seed technology have dictated that a new revision is needed; the result is the current volume. Part I contains information on how to get seeds and raise seedlings. Get Your Copy Now.

Significant advancements have been made in pathogen detection technologies during the last decade. Indexing of plants and plant parts for the presence of specific pathogens has been most effective in some instances for avoiding and/or controlling disease. The new technologies for detecting low levels of pathogens will increase the value of indexing as a tool for plant disease control. Providing an overview of the status of detection technology, this volume is directed not only to scientists and students interested in detection technology, but also to those interested in formulating and implementing disease control and quarantine regulations. This book provides a conceptual framework which presents the current scientific literature, state-of-the-art assessments, and speculations on future developments and requirements of pathogen indexing methods. Chapters cover the different pathogen groups, review current practices in areas where detection technology has become important, and provide perspectives on how indexing technologies can be applied, how well it has worked, and which problems remain. Statistical treatment of detection limits, sampling strategies, risk assessment, cost, standardization, and quality control are also covered.